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Mainstream Marketing Technology for the Legal Cannabis Industryhttps://scribesyndicate.com/2017/10/20/mainstream-marketing-technology-for-the-legal-cannabis-industry/
https://scribesyndicate.com/2017/10/20/mainstream-marketing-technology-for-the-legal-cannabis-industry/#respondFri, 20 Oct 2017 20:30:49 +0000http://scribesyndicate.com/?p=102672From start-up companies to big investors, there are things you need to know about this “budding” industry. It’s hard to get the metrics for funding and it’s difficult to grow and expand a business without available reports and statistics to help brand and market your product. Maybe this article will help.

A Short History of Legalized Cannabis in the United States

In 2012, legal medicinal cannabis was finally realized and it should be one step closer to mainstream in 2018 as adults in California, Massachusetts, and Maine marketplaces pick up the pace for normalization of recreational use in America.

More medical marijuana is sold in California than anywhere else in the United States and the addition of legal recreational use is expected to grow the state’s already exploding market to $7 billion a year, according to the Associated Press. They are followed by continually increasing consumer markets in both Colorado and Washington, according to a report from Boulder-based BDS Analytics.

Recreational customers in both Washington state and Colorado increased cannabis product spending a combined 66% since 2015 to reach over $1.5 billion in 2016, and early projections showed yet another huge increase for 2017.

Marketing and Advertising Technology Is Critical to Business

Unlike traditional businesses, legal cannabis faces a unique dilemma. In the last few years, entrepreneurs, executives, and investors had almost no solid information to base business decisions on and had to rely mostly on instinct. “They didn’t have the types of financial information, benchmark data and in-depth market insight necessary to assess the competition, target investments and tackle new opportunities.” [2] But now it’s possible to hire the right marketing and advertising expert to find and filter this data and design, brand, and provide content that is compliant.

This gets around the following issues:

The federal government currently doesn’t track the industry and detailed demographic information on jobs, the number of companies or taxes paid is not readily available.

Each state approaches the cannabis industry differently. Some provide in-depth data; tax revenue generated, the names of licensed companies, and monthly or annual retail sales, but most states don’t.

Entrepreneurs and investors usually find information on their markets by searching for filings and financial statements of publicly-traded companies. The cannabis industry reports that are publicly available are generally unaudited and only represent a small portion of the marketplace.

Medical dispensaries are required to operate as non-profit, but their tax returns are not formally recognized by the IRS and are not publicly available.

The Marijuana Business Daily Factbook 2017 conducted a survey showing “investors who have already pumped money into the cannabis industry are planning on putting capital into nearly as many marijuana businesses in 2017 as they have in all previous years combined,” and “investors plan to invest half a million dollars on average in marijuana businesses this year alone.”

A huge number of new businesses entering the cannabis space has raised the level of competition and start-up costs are rising making it even more important to know how to approach the industry, a specific niche or market segment.

Enter Tetrah Marketing

Despite challenges, the industry still requires many of the same goods and services as mainstream companies. A huge number of secondary companies – businesses like Tetra Marketing – have sprung up offering traditional services in line with federal and government regulations and guidelines. Some cater to the cannabis industry exclusively; some serve multiple markets. Tetrah has a separate company for its traditional customers that has served many businesses in both the private and public sectors, including government and military contracts, since 2010. They have access to in-depth information that some of their competitors don’t which gives their clients an edge in their marketplaces.

If you are one of the forward-thinking owners of a cannabis start-up or are an existing company looking to differentiate yourself as you expand locally or across state borders, you will need to navigate an industry that has complex rules to marketing and advertising as well as marketplace data that is hard to find. Investors want to back initiatives using solid financial numbers and information along with an analysis of existing competitors. An analysis of the competition is just one of Tetrah Marketing’s vast array of services for a non-traditional industry; a one-stop shop for all things marketing in the world of marijuana.

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]]>https://scribesyndicate.com/2017/10/20/mainstream-marketing-technology-for-the-legal-cannabis-industry/feed/0jessicalee771legal cannabis marketinglegal cannabis marketingHow to Stay on the “Bleeding Edge” of Internet Marketinghttps://scribesyndicate.com/2017/10/16/how-to-stay-on-the-bleeding-edge-of-internet-marketing/
https://scribesyndicate.com/2017/10/16/how-to-stay-on-the-bleeding-edge-of-internet-marketing/#commentsMon, 16 Oct 2017 18:13:49 +0000http://scribesyndicate.com/?p=100018The average business owner has a lot on their plate from developing a business plan, putting together a team of advisors, preparing for transitions, leveraging technology, emergency and safety procedures, and establishing a presence in the marketplace. You need to focus on those areas that will have the most impact on your business’ success and growth.

When it comes to marketing and advertising online, many understand the concepts involved, but don’t have time to research or implement it properly. Digital marketing and advertising technology are extremely hard to keep up with for 3 main reasons:

User psychology – What does your target audience need from you? How can you deliver it effectively? Distinctively?

Software tools – Is your site healthy? Is it loading quickly, functioning properly?

Every business owner should consider their online presence when doing strategic planning since it has become the most visible location for advertising today. We are still using traditional forms of advertising, but they must be combined with digital marketing as newer generations don’t recognize businesses without it. Most millennials are using the Internet exclusively to find services. Some businesses remain very relationship and referral driven, but the digital audience is a huge segment of the population and neglecting them is costly.

Get educated on your options or be prepared to partner with the professionals who can help you put your processes in place.

Begin by evaluating the successes and shortcomings from the past year, future business goals, and plans in other key areas. What are your strategic objectives for branding and promotion across one calendar year or longer? Are you actively making decisions about new projects throughout the year requiring a preplanned timeline?

A combination of three things will support your objectives for digital marketing, allowing you to succeed at capturing the attention of your target audience.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Search Engine Marketing (SEM)

Local Citation Building and Optimization

Citations are core industry platforms that Google deems necessary for a strong foundation in SEO and local brand awareness. They function like microsites on each major platform.

Can You Do It Yourself?

When it comes to software and/or professional expertise, do you really know what you’re buying? Or are you gambling with your money? Most business decisions are made based on metrics and knowledge as opposed to chance, and this is no different.

I’ve found a company that impresses me with their willingness to help educate small business owners to a point of making these critical decisions. Some of these small businesses are other digital marketing companies needing a competitive boost. There is no cost to find out whether you need their services or require a better fit elsewhere. This is the new way of doing business and they are on the “bleeding edge”. Here’s what they do:

Taking your anticipated investment amount, they multiply it through online and digital platforms to create a customized competitive analysis that maps everything out for you. Then they let you know what your financial investment will be and the return you can expect in your specific competitive space.

Once informed about whether the money is worth investing in their services, it’s up to you to decide when or if you want to partner with them.

Partnering with Nuclear Networking

Nuclear Networking is an online marketing and marketing technology company with locations in Atlanta, GA and Denver, CO. They boost marketing ROI up to 300% faster than their competitors to deliver over 4-5 times in returns. The company provides technical marketing services to B2B and B2C companies and marketing agencies. Nuclear Networking began in the government sector where many new technology advancements start, then branched out to work with large, high-profile business clients nationwide. Having felt strongly about the small business segment having the biggest need of the newest digital marketing services from the beginning, they are now reaching out.

The team includes highly-trained individuals with backgrounds that include:

Top-MBA business insight and market analyst with almost 10-years in market and competitive intelligence leadership for global corporations

S. government and military intelligence contributing to “bleeding edge” technology

Secure coding and database management

Engineers who design code and Google algorithms along with analysis

Nuclear Networking supports companies ranging from startups to large enterprises and is an approved Google Partner, keeping you Google compliant and search-engine optimized. They provide unique performance analytics, competition analysis, paid ad campaigns and conversion marketing as an extended offering to their normal web-based services. They take you to the next level in digital marketing areas you may not have been able to cover in-house by:

Looking for the soft spot in your market and competitive advantage to find new opportunities to market to your target audience

Searching for any SEO weaknesses, ensuring your site is up to Google’s algorithmic specs while determining your exposure goals and formulating a custom SEO strategy

Applying keyword research and optimization, content generation, and a multitude of front-end SEO methodologies that tie into your overall SEO execution

They have a proprietary methodology that drives your site to the top of search engines and stabilizes SERP rankings, using Google Smart Services and best practices. Their in-house software developed in 2010 is constantly updated and enhances Google Analytics and other data sources by about 3 times. This includes unique on-site behavioral analytics developed in-house, analytics implementations (usually the missing piece), in-depth competitor deconstructs and custom solutions for e-commerce sites.

They also have some tools and tactics to make sites perform extremely well organically, aided by SEO, paid ads and re-marketing, and inbound marketing deliverables.

They monitor Google’s search algorithms for your site’s performance and content for algorithm-related risks, which keeps you in good standing, maintains your SEO performance and ranks you for the highest search terms.

Pick Your Solution

Nuclear Networking also works with the clients you refer and customizes offerings to complement the sites you build and services you offer.

You can stay involved or outsource your internet marketing services to them.

Use them as an extension of your company and instantly provide your agency with a full-service internet marketing department.

Have them work behind the scenes as an invisible extension of your company, delivering white-labeled service with no client interface, allowing your customer service team to handle client relationships.

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]]>https://scribesyndicate.com/2017/10/16/how-to-stay-on-the-bleeding-edge-of-internet-marketing/feed/1jessicalee771SEO, marketing, advertisingSEO, SEM, customizeIrma, Harvey, and Mariahttps://scribesyndicate.com/2017/10/03/irma-harvey-and-maria/
https://scribesyndicate.com/2017/10/03/irma-harvey-and-maria/#respondTue, 03 Oct 2017 16:45:20 +0000http://scribesyndicate.com/?p=92144It’s hard not to think about the recent weather-related events without feeling frustrated. The first storm of the season to hit the U.S. this year, Irma, was hyped so much that people 3 and 4 hours inland were preparing for shelter. Luckily, that one only injured the Florida coast and it was damage they were familiar with handling. I am not minimizing the damage done in the Caribbean, just focusing on the states.

But Texas is another story, they don’t have that level of disaster preparedness and the damage has exceeded the infamous Katrina in New Orleans. Ironically, many of the people of New Orleans relocated to Texas only to get hit again, only harder. Now, I’m reading that due to a shortage of manufactured housing, it will cost 140,000 for the displaced people of Houston to obtain a 430-square foot replacement home that is basically a reinforced garage and it could take from seven months to two-and-a-half years to get everyone permanently settled again – according to George P. Bush at a hearing at the University of Houston.

Other costs of having 27 trillion gallons of rain and category 4 winds ravage a major city and surrounding area:

Hauling away debris from thousands of destroyed homes and businesses is approximately $260 million.

Rebuilding government-owned buildings is estimated at about $175 million – Houston is insured up to $100 million.

The cost to widen bayous to contain future flooding, purchasing disaster-related equipment, manpower and readiness training is not currently known.

What a relief that the federal government will pick up 90 percent of the tab …

Now, due to a glancing blow from hurricane Irma and a direct hit by Maria, Puerto Rico is described by the FEMA Director Brock Long as “the most logistically challenging (recovery effort) the United States has ever seen.” Between trying to get supply planes and boats into damaged ports and navigating down trees, power lines, and obstructed bridges – all with no telecommunications – getting food and water to the population is next to impossible. A story in USA Today states, “Only 45% of Puerto Rico customers had access to drinking water, according to the White House.” It could take years to rebuild what was already a poor infrastructure and population. It is a shame that our government has let this beautiful island fall into disrepair.

No doubt, many people unaffected by these storms will have friends or families in these areas telling them horror stories about their personal devastation and receiving dysfunctional government aid over incomprehensible time periods. I have friends in Puerto Rico and know a nurse who was recruited to help in a Houston area hospital.

Luckily my friends in Rincon, Puerto Rico could get food, water, and gas, and are currently waiting in line for a plane to take them back to family in New York. However, they decided to leave their restaurant business behind since they are unsure how long it will take the island to get back up and running, if ever. They do not plan on returning and are starting over.

A friend and nurse who helped in Houston is disgusted that she was paid top dollar to be flown and bused in from Colorado to an emergency area that was on the outskirts of the city and not in need of any real FEMA support. It was not flooded. The hospital had changed management companies and lost nursing staff as a result. Timing allowed them to use FEMA funds to rectify the staffing issue since they were near the disaster area. The emergency nursing staff was to be flown by helicopter to the hospital even though there was nothing wrong with the roadways in the area. After paying nurses to wait two days in their hotel for this expensive and unneeded transportation expense, it was determined that the helicopters were too busy transporting people in desperate need. Administrative staff then used their personal vehicles to drive the nurses to the location without incident. This particular nurse really wanted to give needed support during a crisis but experienced what she felt was diverted government funding instead.

Feel free to share your personal experiences during this tumultuous time. Maybe you have heard some positive stories. Regardless, I felt a need to share and some of you might too.

This article is the last in a three part series starting with a seven-day vacation in Rincon, Puerto Rico: Exloring the Area〈〈Click link. Exploring and touring the surfing town of Rincon, I enjoy uncovering the details of beaches, dining, and adventure. The second article called Click link〉〉Side trips from the Town of Rincon, Puerto Rico, shares information short drives to surrounding areas and attractions. It highlights the place I personally enjoyed the most.

La Cueva del Indio has caves and isolated beaches an hour and a half north of Rincon in the town of Arecibo. If you are a nature lover and like to do some intermediate hiking, this is the place for scenic picture taking and amusement. You know you are getting close when you catch a glimpse of the tallest sculpture in the US – the 360’ Christopher Columbus sculpture named “Birth of the New World”.

Tallest Statue in the US, Arecibo, PR

Take your hiking sandals or sneakers and a couple bottles of water. Most attractions in Puerto Rico are no charge, but it is five dollars to park so have cash on hand and leave early if you like to enjoy a sense of privacy. You will get some vague directions that turn out to be accurate as you head through some ruined buildings and toward the limestone cliffs in search of caves. As you walk, you will see holes down into caves that vary in size. The craggy and volcanic- looking limestone rock is treacherous and children should be watched very closely. There is one much larger opening that is marked and leads to a wooden ladder. The ladder goes down into the cave where there is plenty of light from the other natural “skylights” above.

Inside you will see petroglyph cave drawings, a sand covered floor surrounding large rocks that lead into other areas with pools of water. Blue crabs scurry around and hide as soon as they see you. Climb up some of the interior rocks and you will notice a bat or two flying around near the cave ceiling. When waves hit the exterior cliffs, there is a spot that bubbles up from the floor and forms a small stream. The rocks are a beautiful purple near the base and in the water.

Once out of the cave, continue along the ridge and look out at the ocean and across the neighboring cliff formations that create arches and bridges of stone etched by the tides. One of the coves here is the scene of a Pirates of the Caribbean movie and you can imagine a cast and crew navigating the rocks and water to get a shot that captures the more eerie and dangerous qualities of the film.

Find an orange cone that marks a hidden trail and hike through the tropical plants to find yet another rocky cliff leading to a view of two crescent beaches. Navigate the rocks until you get to the sand and remove your shoes. This beach has grainy waterlogged sand that you will sink into at the water’s edge by about 4 inches. The softer dry sand further from the water is still hard to walk in after hiking the cliffs.

You Should Be Here in Arecibo

Strip to a bathing suit and carry your clothes and shoes to continue comfortably. Enjoy the beach and tidal pools while noticing the tiny snail and hermit crab shells that cover everything. Watch the birds and listen to the waves hitting the rocks.

These beaches back up to another resort and picnic area accessed from the road and there is a private home on the end owned by the same individual as the La Cueva del Indio site. The land connects to a third beach that you can walk as well and you will see a few bulky beach tables and chairs cemented into the ground.

The trek back feels easier after enjoying the beach. Finish this day with a rum drink in hand and a view of the sunset!

One of the isolated beaches found at La Cueva del Indio, Arecibo, PR

The hiking takes you to areas that less adventurous people might miss. Always have shoes with a good tread, a change of clothes to keep dry, and extra water bottles when in more remote areas. The safety and security are lax, so plan ahead when it comes to personal items. Keep them in a backpack on your person or in the trunk of your car out of site.

This was my favorite experience of the entire seven-day trip, but I thoroughly enjoyed Puerto Rico’s range of activities: beaches, restaurants, shopping, and historical sites. I challenge myself to find photo opportunities beyond the usual vacation images. I was not disappointed while hiking through caves, then standing high on the cliffs with views of rock bridges and arches, and enjoying beaches with incredible scenery.

As a reminder, this article is the third in a series about my vacation to Rincon, Puerto Rico in November and day trips from the Rincon area (links provided in the first paragraph above). The privacy I experienced at this beach is partly seasonal and because I visited the area from 9am until noon. More tourists were arriving as I left.

I am happy to explain how Dreamtrips Travel Club has encouraged me to explore my world and share the experience with others. My blue “You Should Be Here Sign” is a club gift for joining. For information, email me at scribesyndicate@gmail.com.

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]]>https://scribesyndicate.com/2017/01/06/arecibo-puerto-rico-the-caves-of-la-cueva-del-indio-in-arecibo/feed/4img_20161201_071952jessicalee771La Cueva del Indio Puerto Ricotallest statue christopher columbusdon-at-la-cueva-del-indiodon-at-la-cueva-del-indio-beachSide Trips from the Town of Rincon, Puerto Ricohttps://scribesyndicate.com/2017/01/06/side-trips-from-the-town-of-rincon-puerto-rico/
https://scribesyndicate.com/2017/01/06/side-trips-from-the-town-of-rincon-puerto-rico/#commentsSat, 07 Jan 2017 00:07:29 +0000http://scribesyndicate.com/?p=1045You may have missed the main article leading up to this one called Click link〉〉Rincon, Puerto Rico: Exploring the Area, this article is about day trips I took just outside of Rincon. After covering the best parts of town, I had to share the surrounding attractions in another travel piece. I will also remind anyone starting with this story that the trip was taken shortly after Thanksgiving, the peak season was over, and the weather hovering in the mid-80s…

Boating, Fishing, and Snorkeling in La Parguera

La Parguera, Gina @ Johnny’s Boat Rentals

We headed out to La Parguera, about an hour away, to Gina @ Johnny’s boat rentals, where we rented two small open skiffs to ride to a nearby cove and snorkel and fish with friends who had done the same.

On the way, we passed small painted cottages on stilts with covered boat slips and grabbed our cameras. We passed a dock where iguanas came to beg for food from tourists, providing another photo opportunity.

After spending the day in water so clear you could see the color of the sand at your feet and the fish swimming by, we reluctantly left, but detoured through the mangrove forest over the water, in and out of other secluded fishing spots, through tropical tunnels of bird inhabited greenery and twisted tree limbs. If you book a tour in the evening, you can visit one of the islands bioluminescent bays. The best time to go is when there is a new moon for greater visibility.

Jobos Beach in Isabela

Another day was spent about a half hour north of Rincon at Jobos Beach to see the crashing waves on the rocks of a popular surfing beach in Isabela. Once a beach primarily accessible to those living in the area, it is now under construction, with new hotels and restaurants making parking a bit of a struggle. Park along the main road or pay $5 in a local resident’s lot.

Waves crashing into rocks at Jobos Beach in Isabela, PR

You can trek the volcanic and plutonic rock to the top of a cliff and watch the ocean waves make contact and spray seafoam in the air. You are safe in a pair of flip flops, but bare feet would be ill-advised and seriously slow you down. The beach is the typically soft sand found on most of the area beaches and the water is easily accessed for swimming.

There are Spanish style eateries to visit along the beachfront here serving local fare. The construction will likely end up commercializing the area and taking some of the native feel away. New hotels mean new restaurants and activities, but there is a cost. Puerto Rico’s economy is not the best and additional tourism dollars can help. Keep an eye on this transitioning area and see what unfolds.

Playa Sucia in Cabo Rojo

Playa Sucia Beach and Salt Flats in Cabo Rojo, PR

Puerto Rico has salt flats near the beach in an 1800-acre reserve in Playa Sucia – La Playuela – in Cabo Rojo. The name means “dirty beach” but it is anything but unkempt. Heading south, it takes a little over an hour to get there. Then you will drive on a white sand and salt road riddled with potholes and pools of water through indigenous trees and brush for about a mile to reach a secluded beach area perfect for picnicking. The low-lying trees create a canopy to find shade from the sun. The sand is soft and white and the water is clear blue for miles.

This is where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. On one end of the beach are trails to take you along the ridgeline of limestone cliffs until you reach a jetty of rock and natural bridges for some excellent views of the entire area including the lighthouse and observatory. You will see lizards on the path and big blue crabs climbing the rock formations near the water; a spectacular site as waves crash into the cliffs are viewed from above. An unusual number of butterflies gather here that are attracted by the salt and natural plant life.

Los Morillos Lighthouse on the other side of the beach is accessible by walking up the long gravel drive to the top of the cliffs or by shuttle bus. There is a tourist center where you can get water, read about the history of the reserve, salt crystals, and the lighthouse, and purchase local crafts made as you watch; items like jewelry, hammocks, and artwork. Outside, get as close as you dare to the edge of the cliffs to capture this dramatic view. There are no safety barriers. You would not be the first person to fall, be wary.

Gozalandia Falls in San Sebastian

Side view of Gozalandia Falls

With all the cliffs around the island of Puerto Rico, it makes sense to search for waterfalls like the Gozalandia Falls in San Sebastian about 45 minutes away. Be prepared, you will find steep dirt road access to the parking area and it gets even steeper when hiking on foot to the waterfall area. It used to be downright dangerous, but the park added cement steps with railings and walkways to viewing areas in 2010. Wear comfortable shoes and prepare to get wet. Hiking-style sandals with straps would be recommended for traction, to protect your feet, and dry quickly.

Gozalandia Falls, San Sebastian, PR

The falls empty into a swimming hole before continuing down the rocky river bed. A recent rain will make the 50’ falls even more amazing. The water in November, after some pretty heavy rains, was still comfortable for swimming. Even though the weather was mid-80s, it was a little cooler in the shade of the trees. We spotted a drone or two taking photos above our heads to get some crazy angles.

Crash Boat Beach in Aguadilla

We just had to see what the fuss was about at Crash Boat Beach in Aguadilla. A half hour north of Rincon, local fishermen paint their boats in bright colors, load up their gear, push their boats off the beach and into the ocean to fish for the day. On their return, there is no dock to tie up to so they get a running start and head full tilt to crash onto the beach as far as they can go before dragging the boat onto rollers and hauling it up further to unload their catch.

Crash Boats Beach Fishing Boats

There is a long cement pier on one end with a strange bright yellow metal doorway to nowhere. You can walk through it and continue down the pier. You may see a man surrounded by pelicans. Some train them for taking pictures with tourists and it is probably the closest look you can get to a wild pelican.

Look for a rock wall with the national flag painted on it near a path up the rock face that has crumbled from weather. A vendor style food stand is located just off the parking lot. This is a watersport beach and considered a great spot for Scuba diving. The beach is wide for sunbathing, but not for swimming.

Each of these sites is a personal experience I will treasure. Puerto Rico is loaded with other activities, beaches, restaurants, shopping, and historical sites. They provided countless opportunities for extreme picture taking.

La Cueva del Indio is a hiking excursion through caves to see views of rock bridges and arches and find isolated beaches with incredible scenery. The tallest statue in the US is visible as you approach the town of Arecibo.

Dreamtrips Travel Club has encouraged me to plan more travel. I am expanding my mind, experiences, and culture everywhere I go; I am determined to work on my bucket list of destinations now, while I’m healthy. I would be happy to share information about it with you. Leave your contact information on the site or contact me by email at scribesyndicate@gmail.com.

If you want to find the best opportunities for fun and adventure, take a look what I discovered in the west coast town of Rincon, Puerto Rico. Hiking, water sports, dining, and nature at places both on and off the beaten path, just out of peak tourist season. This trip happened at the end of November.

The rates to fly to Puerto Rico are extremely reasonable this time of year. The San Juan airport is the main international airport on the island, it is small and easy to navigate, and a short walk to get to the car rental area. Take a carry-on and you will breeze right through your flight schedule.

There are typical car rental rates in November, but a bigger selection of newer cars to choose from with very low miles. My car had 128 miles on it and still had the plastic on the seatbelt connections and the new car smell. I had 2 hours and 15 minutes to get to the surfing beach town of Rincon, Puerto Rico. I could have flown into the closer Aguadilla Airport, but San Juan had less expensive options and I wanted to explore anyway.

The Mental Adjustment

Rooftop rental with seating, hammock, and pool

It’s my belief that traveling to my destination is part of the vacation. Snacks and drinks in the airport, reading a book I’ve been dying to crack open during a layover, a movie on the plane ride, and hopefully a window seat for take-off and landing, are part of the experience. It helps if you revert to child-like wonder from the moment you leave work and start packing. A perk of my trip is a membership to Dreamtrips travel club and having what is called “Rovia bucks” gained from sharing the club with friends who love to travel as well as I do. This club account paid for my airline ticket and sent me through expedited security lines. I didn’t start spending money until I picked up my rental car. I could have covered my accommodations by searching for a pre-packaged vacation or an available hideaway in the area but opted for a private rental option with friends who live in Puerto Rico instead.

There are many places to see between San Juan and Rincon driving along the west coast of Puerto Rico and I had researched a few ideas ahead of time. Waking in a comfortable bed on the first day in my Rincon rental, I felt the ceiling fan and open windows blow the humid 82-degree air over my body and was immediately psyched for morning coffee on the rooftop. I left the rain and chilly air of Charlotte, North Carolina, far behind to stay with people who spend six months of the year in Puerto Rico’s Rincon area who were going to be really helpful finding my kind of vacation entertainment. I walked upstairs to find myself in a tropical paradise of plants, outdoor cushioned furniture, a hammock, and a small pool. The sky was blue and I could see the ocean in the distance. I was already taking pictures to send home.

The old church sign at my Rincon rental

The rental I was staying in used to be an old church. It was an open floorplan, light wood, tile floors, and brightly colored walls with beach themed decoration; totally my idea of an oceanside cottage. Three bedrooms and two baths with one outdoor shower made it perfect to share as everyone had their own privacy. Open windows allowed us to be serenaded by tree frogs at night and awakened by crowing roosters in the morning.

Caribbean Beaches

We all eased into the first day with a trip to local Rincon beaches. Getting from point A to point B means navigating roads that are only a lane and half wide with periodic hairpin blind turns. Take the extra car rental insurance and bravely explore. Eventually, you will be driving like the locals, in the middle of the road, relying on reflexes, and blowing through red lights late at night. You will note the cars parked outside their residences are marked by a series of fender benders with age.

Local Rincon Beaches

Sandy Beach, like many beaches, is lined with palm trees on one side and turquoise ocean water on the other. Since the area is known for surfing, many of the beaches are rocky and it’s hard to walk into the water without tripping, but Sandy Beach is “swimming friendly” where you can walk easily in and out of the water, snorkel and float, then relax on a beach chair. A convenient boutique size hotel and bar called Tamboo is on the beach when you feel like getting some food and refreshment. Stay the day or hop over to Steps Beach – named for the mysterious cement stoop – sitting in the water near the shore. This beach is a little rocky, but good for snorkeling since there are places for fish to play hide and seek.

Dome Beach in Rincon

Dome beach was once an active military installation that officially shuttered its doors in 2012. Within the dome was a boiling nuclear superheater run by general electric from 1965-68. There is now a museum of atomic science, a local surfing beach with trails, rocky outcrops and a view of the mysterious looking dome over the tropical trees and vegetation. It is now a premier surfing beach for skilled locals and tourists.

Rincon Lighthouse

Next to Dome Beach is the Rincon Lighthouse sitting atop a small hill. You may find a stand for handmade jewelry outside, a grassy courtyard is often used for weddings for its picturesque views of beaches from above, and there is a convenient restroom facility.

Beach Activities and Equipment Rental

Rincon Paddle Boards

If you like watersports, locate Rincon Paddleboard Rentals owned and operated by Damiano and Chicako who are Rincon locals. Find them on the main website or on Facebook and learn about how they can teach you to paddleboard, surf, kayak, and snorkel as well as take you on tours. They have all the necessary equipment for each activity

“Big Red” Paddle Board, Rincon Paddle Board Rental

available to rent. Tell them Jessica Headrick sent you for a surprise on your visit. They are located on the beach and can take you out as soon as you are ready. Keep in mind that Puerto Rico has 501km or 311 miles of coastline and this is just the western section.

Dining and Accommodations

Playa Maria Beach access is next to the Calypso Café which has a bar with live music in the evenings. There are a couple of beach shops that provide great reasons to get out of the sun for a bit, soothe your skin, and hydrate.

The Lazy Parrot Mini Resort, Rincon, PR

The Lazy Parrot Mini Resort in Rincon has an island atmosphere suitable for events and weddings. It has hotel rooms and suites, a gift shop, restaurant, and poolside bar in the courtyard. Stay there to take complete advantage of the amenities or just visit the bar and take in a game or two over a local Medalla beer.

Grab an authentic English style breakfast or tea at the English Rose Bed and Breakfast located up a winding road surrounded by lush foliage, ending on a hilltop with breathtaking views for miles. Have a relaxing brunch or reserve a guesthouse overlooking the pool and stay a while.

Aloha Surf Curbside bar and restaurant

The Aloha Surf is an outdoor food stand and bar right in town beside other local restaurants. The owner, Crystal, may be your chef, creating local favorites like fresh seafood, steak, chicken, and pork pinchos which are pieces of meat pierced with a stick like a kabob. Empanadillas are another Spanish dish of pastries filled with the same meats as the pinchos either chopped or ground. These finger foods are very popular fare found along every roadside throughout the island, but there are always those that come highly recommended over others.

Located right on the beach, La Copa Llena at the Black Eagle is the setting for spectacular sunsets, unique menu items and specials like Poke (a yellow fin tuna dish), tostones (mashed green plantains), butter-poached mackerel, and ribs that melt in your mouth.

Sunset at Hotel Villa Cofresi

The Hotel Villa Cofresi is a beach resort. Upon entering you will see their gift shop, pass by an open-air game room with billiard tables on the right and a pool on the left, and then find a seat at the bar overlooking the pelicans and boats on the ocean. Their signature drink, The Pirate Special, is several types of rum mixed with coconut milk, sprinkled with cinnamon, and served inside a freshly opened coconut shell. The entire drink does not fit in the coconut so it comes with an overflow cup. It is the perfect drink at the end of a beach day.

Finding fresh seafood in Rincon is not hard to do, but if you are looking for an exceptional recipe and presentation, you need to visit Saltaire and the Casa Verde Hotel. The chef, Christopher, studied the culinary arts while living in New York City where he refined his skills in fine dining and opened a restaurant in Puerto Rico. He showcases the variety of fresh catches, such as red snapper, along with lamb chops, stuffed mushrooms, fresh gnocchi, and even coconut bread pudding. The outdoor bar on the ground floor is decorated with little white lights and potted plants for ambiance and there is plenty of room to dance in the evening.

Saltaire is only open during Puerto Rico’s winter season – November through April -and we were lucky not to miss them! Contact them at Saltaire.info@gmail.com to ask about specials and tell them Jessica Headrick sent you!

The end of this visit was filled with memories of things that can’t be seen or experienced elsewhere. Puerto Rico is loaded with other activities, beaches, restaurants, shopping, and historical sites. That will be the subject of another trip.

I would not have necessarily thought of taking a trip just after Thanksgiving, but Dreamtrips Rovia bucks eventually expire after a year and I wanted to take full advantage of my travel dollars. It’s hard to imagine needing the incentive to travel, but many of us put off plans more than we act on them. I joined the travel club to be sure I would see new places at least once a year if not several times each year. For more information, email me at scribesyndicate@gmail.com.

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]]>https://scribesyndicate.com/2017/01/06/rincon-puerto-rico-exploring-the-area/feed/4tropical-rooftop-of-our-rincon-rental-coffee-at-sunrisejessicalee771tropical-rooftop-of-our-rincon-rental-coffee-at-sunrisemap-of-puerto-ricorooftop-in-prcrossLocal Rincon BeachesBeaches in Rinconel-faro-lighthouseRincon paddle boards rentalpaddle boards Rincon Puerto Rico vacationRincon resort Puerto Ricolocal curbside restaurant in Rincon, PRsunsets islands puerto rico rinconThe Secret for a Successful Life and Business in 2017https://scribesyndicate.com/2016/12/29/the-secret-for-a-successful-life-and-business-in-2017/
https://scribesyndicate.com/2016/12/29/the-secret-for-a-successful-life-and-business-in-2017/#respondThu, 29 Dec 2016 17:55:48 +0000http://scribesyndicate.com/?p=914We live in an age that loves the peculiar and the original evidenced by reality shows, presidential elections, and entrepreneurial creativity. If ever there was a time to let your unique personality gleam, it is 2017. Your business image can be carried through your exclusive life story to connect with the public on a whole new level of rationale.

Your business identity is securely connected to characteristics of your personality. Think about how you arrived at your current profession and where your passion first derived. Start with the details of what you do and why it is important to your clients.

What led you to develop your expertise and share it with your clients?

What makes you remarkable?

The answers will lead you to the niche that takes the most advantage of your unique personality traits, skills, and innate abilities. Act on this.

Believing in Success

Your customers know why they chose you and you need to listen to the positive comments and feedback as you discuss business. Believe in the image you project to them and repeat it to new clients with confidence. This is how others feel about you and it may be more accurate than your internal view which you have carried with you for most of your life and likely needs an overhaul.

Talk about what you have learned and know about your industry. Make a list of your successes, awards, and achievements and prepare to be amazed. Convey your passion to the media by taking advantage of opportunities to share your story. Thank people who share your praise with friends, co-workers, and clients by maintaining relationships and returning the favor.

Strengthen your story by revisiting it weekly or monthly and watch it evolve with new perceptions as you fine-tune your vision of your business acumen and character. A fresh look keeps it compelling.

Disregard the notion of stepping out of your comfort zone and embrace what comes naturally. Whether attending events, networking in-person, or using social media. Make sure you are relaxed in your environment so others feel at ease with you. Choose the venues that make the most sense and that you are familiar with, using them as often as possible. People simply need to know where to find you. Your social networks are necessary, but you don’t need all of them if you are consistently present and focused in one business initiative at a time.

Everyone is capable of following a pattern, trend, or recipe for success. Dare to determine your own personal direction and see where it takes you. There is an element of fear for many of us in exposing who we are and making changes. Many times, we know what to do but don’t act on it. A new year brings us opportunities to evaluate the best way to make decisions in our life and business image. Take you first step by taking inventory of your special talents, dig deep, and share them with others. There is no one else who can do exactly what you can do…believe it.

]]>https://scribesyndicate.com/2016/12/29/the-secret-for-a-successful-life-and-business-in-2017/feed/0jessicalee771personal and business developmenthappiness in life and businessThe Future of the Blockchainhttps://scribesyndicate.com/2016/09/26/the-future-of-the-blockchain-2/
https://scribesyndicate.com/2016/09/26/the-future-of-the-blockchain-2/#commentsMon, 26 Sep 2016 17:54:40 +0000http://scribesyndicate.com/?p=890The concept of Blockchain technology has been around since 2008 and more recently has been the topic of debate regarding whether it’s use in the financial sector was going to be limited to digital currency and financial contracts or scale and evolve to handle all transactional data and communications. Organizations are researching customized uses for specific proof of concepts to address related, but different industry goals.

The original Bitcoin technology stack had limitations and shortcomings that had to be addressed or replaced by emerging Blockchain technology consultant companies. Some have reached a testing stage and have the ability to demonstrate the technology by integrating it with other systems, while others are still assembling components and structure. Few of these start-ups are located in the United States and most are currently located on the west coast.

Through the next five years, there will be multiple distributed ledger platforms powering digital business and laying the foundation for an autonomous programmable economy. The path to this economy may not take the earlier estimated decades to deliver due to continually increasing the pace of technological advancement. The internet took decades to reach full potential but the increments between each monumental step decreased along the way. To date, it has completely altered everyday life and changes are constant.

Much has been learned since then and today industry is more motivated than ever to remove redundant, wasteful, fraudulent transactions from the original technology. The world wide web or distributed networks we have all been working on are modified off a system based on the technology of the early 90s and are now overwhelmed with data that is either leaking or being breached at every computer, platform, and application’s weak point of contact with another system.

The term “distributed ledger” is used in unison with “Blockchain,” to better describes the flexibility and support the concept of businesses as “platforms.” Some emerging Blockchain companies refer to themselves as a Platform as a Service (PaaS) business. This evolution takes Blockchain technology to more advanced alternatives for transferring various forms of data in all businesses and industries. Imagine:

cars that can negotiate parking space availability, receive bids on spots, calculate appropriate costs, and make the payments

landowners who can undeniably verify deeds

systems that track resume and identity through education history and credentials

recording property such as music and art, intellectual property rights, creation dates, and avoiding potential third party claims

It is through the shortcomings of the Bitcoin technical architecture that alternative versions of the Blockchain distributed ledger system were discovered. Transactions can be confirmed through an automated network of computers controlled by mathematical rules resulting in transparency across industries. This is not a trend or fad but a new basis for global interaction. Take a step forward to avoid extended disruption to business processes and wasted funds for massive architecture changes later. Corporate Internet Officers should be finding a place to integrate and test Blockchain technology on a portion of their operating systems now in order to go full scale later.

The coming wave of The Internet of Things (IoT) will tie corporations to businesses and workplaces to households as well as how we travel in between.

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]]>https://scribesyndicate.com/2016/09/26/the-future-of-the-blockchain-2/feed/2jessicalee771blockchain, technologyWhat Chief Information Officers Need to Know About Blockchainhttps://scribesyndicate.com/2016/09/26/what-chief-information-officers-need-to-know-about-blockchain/
https://scribesyndicate.com/2016/09/26/what-chief-information-officers-need-to-know-about-blockchain/#commentsMon, 26 Sep 2016 17:51:18 +0000http://scribesyndicate.com/?p=885Chief Information Officers (CIO)s should consider the possible effects of blockchain investments against existing technologies and capabilities and be ready to move when productivity begins to outweigh the earlier hype. As many CIOs begin looking into their digital business transformation strategies, they may wonder how and where blockchain technology fits into their platforms.

CIOs at major banks and financial services companies have already launched full-scale analysis into savings potentials and possible business disruption while integrating new systems.

These are not the only areas for blockchain advancement. CIOs across all industries should understand how blockchain works, and why its limitations are spawning distributed ledger platforms ready to test the first basic integrations for the future programmable economy.

The First Step is Education

Begin by finding blockchain councils, newsletters, and think tanks that share a common goal in finding practical uses for this technology that explain substantial improvements in resource efficiency. Understand how taking advantage of this technology will drive innovation and growth in regions that have not yet modernized to this shift. Pitch your own ideas, incorporate others, and ask questions to solve development issues.

Look for companies like these 10 enterprising start-ups in 2016 striving to achieve the best possible blockchain applications. One promising start-up on the east coast and based in Charlotte, NC is doing that through the creation of LinkedIn groups, network and meet up events both online and locally, up to date newsletter information, and an online Blockchain Council run by Encrypted Labs intended to be a collaborative think tank for technical experts and collective industry knowledge experts to work together.

The Future

It is through the shortcomings of the Bitcoin technical architecture that alternative versions of the blockchain distributed ledger system were discovered. Transactions can be confirmed through an automated network of computers constrained by mathematical rules resulting in transparency across industries. This is not a trend or fad but a new basis for global interaction. Take a step forward to avoid extended disruption to business processes and wasted funds for massive architecture changes later. Corporate Internet Officers should be finding a place to integrate and test blockchain technology on a portion of their operating systems now in order to go full scale later.

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]]>https://scribesyndicate.com/2016/09/26/what-chief-information-officers-need-to-know-about-blockchain/feed/3jessicalee771block chain CIOEditing: Mission Accomplishedhttps://scribesyndicate.com/2016/08/19/editing-mission-accomplished/
https://scribesyndicate.com/2016/08/19/editing-mission-accomplished/#respondSat, 20 Aug 2016 00:41:38 +0000http://scribesyndicate.com/?p=875I work hard to be politically unbiased, so please take a look at this announcement as my personal achievement in editing a book that is a relevant topic of discussion in today’s media and the people of our country as well as global interests. This is an editing accomplishment I am sharing with my writing community. My name appears under acknowledgments for editing contribution and is now officially part of my work portfolio.

After two months of combined line editing, proofing, copyediting, sourcing, and the addition of some graphic charts, the book by Brad Thomas, The Trump Factor: Unlocking the Secrets Behind the Trump Empire is now on Amazon and you can purchase it by clicking HERE.

The Trump Factor is a must read for anyone interested in what Donald Trump has truly accomplished over 5 decades. The sheer magnitude of the portfolio is compelling. Trump is constantly faced with the complexities of multiple, mixed-use skyscrapers in gateway cities with enormous barriers to entry.

Author, Brad Thomas, had personal access to his portfolio and visited each and every property owned by Trump. If you are interested in knowing what Donald Trump is really worth, you can check the math.